You won’t want to miss ADA’s 65th Annual Awards Banquet on Wednesday, September 12 at the National Education Association headquarters in Washington, D.C. It’s our honor to announce that Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will receive ADA’s 2012 Frances Perkins Award for Government Service. Several Members of Congress are lining up to "Roast" Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), and we will also be honoring Wisconsin's public workers.

Sign on to Protect Vital Services!

Americans for Democratic Action is proud to be a member of the Coalition on Human Needs. The Coalition has drafted a really powerful letter to Congress that you, too, can sign, urging your Representative to save vital services and prevent rising poverty. By signing this letter today, you'll help to show Congress that millions nationwide strongly oppose cutting vital services, especially while the wealthiest Americans continue to receive tax breaks. Add your name to the letter now, and share it with your friends and family.

Big News across the Country in the Voter Suppression Battle

A lot happened last week on the nationwide issue of voter suppression, resulting in some good and bad news. In Pennsylvania, democracy lost when a Republican judge ruled to uphold the state's restrictive voter ID law. The case will now head to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. We saw steps (albeit baby steps) of progress in Florida and Ohio, though. In Florida, a federal court reinstated early voting in five counties where the law would unjustly affect African-American voters, while Ohio’s Secretary of State announced that all counties would follow a uniform early-voting policy, preventing early-voting discrimination.

Working Families Win organizer, Chris Schwartz, helped to organize (and serves on the Board) of the first ever Cedar Valley Pride Festival in Waterloo, Iowa. With over 2,000 people in attendance, it was a successful celebration of the LGBT community. More photos here.